We were delighted to have Jane Goodall with us again yesterday, on World Environment Day, to announce the latest chapter in Taronga’s long partnership.

Taronga has announced a five year partnership Jane Goodall to expand the Tchimpounga Rehabilation Centre in the Congo, the largest sanctuary on the African continent, which cares for over 140 rescued or orphaned Chimpanzees that have been saved from the pet and bush meat trades.

Dr Goodall said: “With this partnership, we will be able to move faster towards the objectives for Tchimpounga, which include securing operational support for Chimpanzee rescue and reintroduction, building a new island sanctuary for chimpanzees that cannot be released, upgrading the original site as a quarantine centre and staging site for the release program, expanded law enforcement to stop illegal great ape hunting and developing an Education Centre catering for 2000 plus students per year.”

As part of the visit Jane Goodall will be hosting an intimate luncheon this Wednesday, 8th June, at Taronga Zoo where guests will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to hear and meet Jane Goodall while also raising money for the sanctuary.

Dr Goodall has now visited Taronga’s Chimps four times since 1997, updating Australians on the needs of chimpanzees in the wild, progress with the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) and developments with her youth environment movement ‘Roots and Shoots’. During this time, many Zoo staff and volunteers have visited Africa to work with Dr Goodall’s projects and former Taronga Primate Keeper, Debbie Cox, has been one of JGI’s most effective staff in Africa.

Tchimpounga was established in 1994 by JGI and the Congolese Ministerie de le Economie Forestiere (MEF) to hold 60 orphaned or rescued chimpanzees. The sanctuary is 35 km north of Point Noire, Congo’s largest city. Sadly there continues to be heavy bushmeat pressure to supply markets in Pointe Noir, but things have improved since the area was protected.

Our Taronga Foundation is also assisting JGI by providing expert advice on the ground by sending specialists in veterinary science, behavioural research and capital works.

One of our vets is scheduled to conduct over 60 general examinations in coming months and we’ll be looking at other staff placements and partner projects to help.